The NEAC Zoning Committee receives, reviews, and makes recommendations to the full Near East Area Commission regarding applications for rezoning, variances, and special permits within its jurisdiction.

Most zoning cases are also reviewed by the Planning Committee. The Planning and Zoning Committees each include up to 6 Commissioners and additional community members. Community members can participate and vote at Committee meetings, but do not vote at the Commission General Body meeting.

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The NEAC process for review has three steps/meetings:

1. Planning/Zoning  Committee  meeting  (3 rd   Thursday  of  the  month,  6:30  pm  at  1393  E.  Broad  St).  The  developer  must  schedule  with  the  Planning  Chair  no  later  than  the  3 rd   day  of  the month   to  get  on  the  agenda. The  Zoning   Committee  participates  in  this  meeting,  but  only  the  Planning  Committee  votes.  The  review  of  proposed  Land  Bank  acquisitions  and  demolition  permits  that  raise no zoning issues go through the Planning Committee and bypass the Zoning Committee. 

2. Assuming  Planning  votes,  rather  than  tabling,  the  case  will  immediately  be  scheduled  for  the  next  scheduled  Site  Visit  meeting .  This  is  held  on  the  morning  of  the  Saturday  before  next month’s   General  Body  meeting  (2nd    Thursday  of  the  month).  The  applicant  is  instructed  regarding  the  time  and  date  of  the  Site  Visit  meeting  and  must  prepare  postcards with   project  specific information   (available  from  City  staff)  and  return  to  City  staff at   1393  E.  Broad  St.  on  or before   the  Tuesday  following  the  Planning/Zoning  Committee  meeting.  These  will  be  mailed  to  a  list  of  nearby  property  owners.  This  is  the  same  list  that  City  Council  and/or  BZA  uses  for  their  meeting  notifications.  Meeting  at the   site  offers  an  opportunity  for  neighbors  to  learn  about  and  comment on the proposed zoning change. The Zoning Committee votes at this meeting. 

3. Assuming  Zoning  votes,  rather  than  tabling,  the  case  will be   scheduled  for  the following   General Body   meeting  (2nd    Thursday,  6:30  pm  at 1393   E.  Broad St.),   at  which time   our  final vote   is  taken  and NEAC’s recommendation is forwarded to the City zoning staff by the applicant. 

Zoning  cases  submitted  in  order  to  legalize  an  existing  condition,  where  no  new  development  is  proposed, may request an expedited review. Approval is entirely at the discretion of the NEAC. 
NEAC  now  is  equipped  with  a  laptop  and  projector  for  digital  presentations  at  the  Planning/Zoning  Committee  meeting  and  General  Body  meeting.  We  require  that  all  application  materials  noted  below  are  provided  by  email  as  a  pdf  file  to  the  Planning  Chair  and  Zoning  Chair  three  (3)  days  ahead  of  the  Planning/Zoning  meeting  and  any  updated  presentations  provided  to  the  Zoning  Chair  three  (3)  days  ahead  of  the  General  Body  meeting.  For  the  Site  Visit  meeting,  paper  copies  are  required:  the  developer  or  representative  should  bring  12  copies  of  the most current version of the following application materials to the Site Visit meeting, including: 

• Zoning application and any amendments 

• Site plan at readable scale with dimensions identified 

• Elevations and/or architectural renderings of proposed structures 

• Street  view  and/or  satellite  photographs  of  the existing   site  or  buildings showing   context in   the  neighborhood 

• City staff letters and reports (provide ASAP, but must be prior to the General Body vote)  

• Clear and complete list of any variances requested 

• Near East Area Commission Zoning Review Process 

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The developer or representative should come prepared to discuss the proposal in detail, including: 

• Consistency with NEAC Zoning Principles      

• Reason(s) for requesting the zoning change and how it complies with the NEAC Zoning Principles 

• Compatibility with the immediate neighborhood 

• Exterior and interior dimensions of proposed building(s) 

• Off street parking plan 

• Proposed building materials and colors (if known) 

• Target population to be served, if relevant 

• Any changes made to the plan since the first presentation 

• Projected timeline for development 

• Receptivity  of  the  neighborhood  civic  association—we  expect  the  developer  will  reach  out  to  and meet with the relevant civic association before expecting NEAC to vote on the application